WO1995008404A1 - Aqueous compositions useful as printing vehicles - Google Patents

Aqueous compositions useful as printing vehicles Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO1995008404A1
WO1995008404A1 PCT/US1994/009772 US9409772W WO9508404A1 WO 1995008404 A1 WO1995008404 A1 WO 1995008404A1 US 9409772 W US9409772 W US 9409772W WO 9508404 A1 WO9508404 A1 WO 9508404A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
polymer
monomer
weight
amount
molecular weight
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US1994/009772
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
Brenda A. Cleary
Stephen P. Boucher
Original Assignee
Henkel Corporation
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Henkel Corporation filed Critical Henkel Corporation
Priority to EP94927279A priority Critical patent/EP0722369A4/en
Priority to AU76773/94A priority patent/AU7677394A/en
Publication of WO1995008404A1 publication Critical patent/WO1995008404A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C09—DYES; PAINTS; POLISHES; NATURAL RESINS; ADHESIVES; COMPOSITIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; APPLICATIONS OF MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • C09D—COATING COMPOSITIONS, e.g. PAINTS, VARNISHES OR LACQUERS; FILLING PASTES; CHEMICAL PAINT OR INK REMOVERS; INKS; CORRECTING FLUIDS; WOODSTAINS; PASTES OR SOLIDS FOR COLOURING OR PRINTING; USE OF MATERIALS THEREFOR
    • C09D11/00—Inks
    • C09D11/02—Printing inks
    • C09D11/10—Printing inks based on artificial resins
    • C09D11/106—Printing inks based on artificial resins containing macromolecular compounds obtained by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds
    • C09D11/107—Printing inks based on artificial resins containing macromolecular compounds obtained by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds from unsaturated acids or derivatives thereof
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41M—PRINTING, DUPLICATING, MARKING, OR COPYING PROCESSES; COLOUR PRINTING
    • B41M7/00—After-treatment of prints, e.g. heating, irradiating, setting of the ink, protection of the printed stock
    • B41M7/0045—After-treatment of prints, e.g. heating, irradiating, setting of the ink, protection of the printed stock using protective coatings or film forming compositions cured by mechanical wave energy, e.g. ultrasonics, cured by electromagnetic radiation or waves, e.g. ultraviolet radiation, electron beams, or cured by magnetic or electric fields, e.g. electric discharge, plasma
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C09—DYES; PAINTS; POLISHES; NATURAL RESINS; ADHESIVES; COMPOSITIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; APPLICATIONS OF MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • C09D—COATING COMPOSITIONS, e.g. PAINTS, VARNISHES OR LACQUERS; FILLING PASTES; CHEMICAL PAINT OR INK REMOVERS; INKS; CORRECTING FLUIDS; WOODSTAINS; PASTES OR SOLIDS FOR COLOURING OR PRINTING; USE OF MATERIALS THEREFOR
    • C09D133/00—Coating compositions based on homopolymers or copolymers of compounds having one or more unsaturated aliphatic radicals, each having only one carbon-to-carbon double bond, and at least one being terminated by only one carboxyl radical, or of salts, anhydrides, esters, amides, imides, or nitriles thereof; Coating compositions based on derivatives of such polymers
    • C09D133/04—Homopolymers or copolymers of esters
    • C09D133/06—Homopolymers or copolymers of esters of esters containing only carbon, hydrogen and oxygen, the oxygen atom being present only as part of the carboxyl radical
    • C09D133/08—Homopolymers or copolymers of acrylic acid esters

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to aqueous compositions of copoiymers and to their use as printing vehicles. More particularly, it relates to alkyl acrylate copoiymers and their use in printing inks or varnishes particularly suited for use flexographic or gravure printing processes.
  • Alkyl acrylate and methacrylate polymers are generally known in the art. see e.g. "Acrylic and Methacrylic Ester Polymers", Encvclopedia of Polymer Science and Engineering, vol. 1 , pp. 236-299 (John Wiley & Sons, Inc. N.Y., N.Y., 1985). For example, the effect of the choice of alkyl group on the chemical and mechanical properties of homopolymers of the alkyl acrylate and methacrylate monomers is discussed at pages 256-261 .
  • U.S. Patent No. 4,814,373 discloses modified aqueous dispersions of water-insoluble latex polymer prepared by swelling an initial water-insoluble latex polymer, prepared by emulsion polymerization, with additional ethylenically unsaturated monomer, including at least one monomer with two or more sites of ethylenic unsaturation, and subsequently polymerizing the additional monomer within the swollen latex particles.
  • the modified latex polymer yields films which are useful as binders for coatings for leather and polyurethane foam and other substrates, and which show improved toughness, hardness and tensile strength while retaining substantial extensibility.
  • Acrylate and methacrylate ester polymers are known to have a wide variety of uses.
  • the use of higher alkyl esters of acrylic acid as single- component pressure-sensitive adhesives is discussed in "Pressure-Sensitive Adhesives", Encvclopedia of Polymer Science and Engineering, vol. 13, pp. 353-355 (John Wiley & Sons, Inc. N.Y., N.Y., 1988). It is stated that the predominant raw materials are the butyl and 2-ethylhexyl esters of acrylic acid.
  • One formulation for a general purpose pressure-sensitive adhesive is a copolymer of 97% by weight 2-ethylhexyl acrylate and 3% by weight of acrylic acid.
  • Another formulation is a copolymer of 63% by weight 2- ethylhexyl acrylate and 30% by weight of vinyl acetate and 2% by weight acrylamide.
  • acrylic ester polymers as binders is also known.
  • U.S. Patent No. 5, 196,470 discloses an alcohol based, water soluble binder composition for nonwoven material made from water swellable, water soluble or water sensitive fibers and related substances is provided comprising a substantially anhydrous solution of an acrylic polymeric resin, and an alcohol diluent.
  • the resin is a synthetic polymer which may be synthesized from an acrylic acid ester, methacrylic acid ester, or both, in combination with a polymerizable alpha, beta ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid.
  • U.S. Pat. No. 4,230,613 discloses a lacquer composition for coating a substrate, comprising acrylic polymers such as methyl methacrylate/butyl acrylate/acrylic acid terpolymers, a volatile solvent such as a mixture of toluene and isopropanol, and a tertiary amine activator.
  • the water-based inks containing the blend of these polymers as a binder can significantly improve ink film properties such as alcohol resistance, block resistance and water resistance as compared to use of water-dispersible polyester alone.
  • the polymer blends were also employed to prepare ink primers and overprint varnishes. It is stated that these polymer blends were prepared by mixing an aqueous polyester dispersion with an acrylic emulsion which contains surfactants and other additives and that the presence of surfactants in the ink formulations creates several problems related to ink stability, printing process and print quality of the ink film.
  • U. S. Patent No. 5,075,364 discloses a blend of a water-dissipatable polyester material, an acrylic polymer and a water-dissipatable vinyl polymer. It is stated that the acrylic polymer and the vinyl polymer must be compatible with the polyester which has a particular composition. It is stated that the polymer blends are useful for preparing ink compositions having improved block resistance, water resistance, and alcohol resistance. Summary of the Invention
  • This invention relates to an aqueous dispersion consisting essentially of a high-molecular weight polymer prepared by aqueous suspension polymerizing a blend of monomers, said blend consisting essentially of (i) a plasticizing amount by weight of a monomer selected from the group consisting of plasticizing alkyl acrylate monomers and mixtures thereof, (ii) a hardening amount by weight of a monomer selected from the group consisting of hardening alkyl acrylate monomers and mixtures thereof, and (iii) a crosslinking amount by weight of a monomer selected from the group consisting of di-ethylenically unsaturated crosslinking monomers and mixtures thereof, in an aqueous suspension comprising a polymer component consisting essentially of a low-molecular weight, water-soluble, acrylic polymer having carboxylate functionality.
  • the blend of monomers consists essentially of plasticizing monomers in an amount from about 50% to about 60% by weight, hardening monomers in an amount from about 40% to about 50% by weight, and a crosslinking monomer in an amount from about 0.1 % to about 5% by weight, and the polymer has a molecular weight of from about 150,000 to about 300,000.
  • This invention also relates to a method of coating a substrate comprising (i) contacting a surface of a substrate with a composition comprising an aqueous dispersion as defined above, and (ii) drying said surface to form a film in contact with said surface.
  • said polymer in aqueous dispersion is supplied to said surface by a hydrophilic cylindrical transfer roll.
  • This invention relates to novel aqueous dispersions of polymers, e.g. polymers having the formula set forth above, to printing ink vehicles which contain these novel aqueous suspensions, and to methods which employ these novel aqueous suspensions.
  • the polymers prepared by suspension polymerization are at least copoiymers of two different alkyl acrylates and/or methacrylates and a multi-ethylenic compound.
  • important starting materials for preparing the novel polymers of this invention are alkyl esters of acrylic acid and methacrylic acid. Such esters are described in "Acrylic and Methacrylic Ester Polymers", Encyclopedia of Polymer Science and Engineering, vol. 1 , pp.
  • a measure of the plasticizing effect of a monomer can be found by examining the glass transition temperature of a homopolymer of the monomer.
  • a plasticizing monomer will be such that a homopolymer of the monomer will exhibit a glass transition temperature (T 0 ) of less than about -30°C.
  • T 0 glass transition temperature
  • acrylates of a straight chain alkyl group having from 3 to 1 1 carbon atoms or a branched chain alkyl group having from 5 to 11 carbon atoms will generally be useful for plasticizing the polymer.
  • acrylate esters examples include the n- propyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, n-hexyl, 2-ethylbutyl, 2-heptyl, and 2-ethylhexyl.
  • the other alkyl acrylate or methacrylate monomer is a hardening monomer. As discussed above, a measure of the hardening effect of the monomer can be found by examining the glass transition temperature of a homopolymer of the monomer.
  • the monomer will be selected such that a homopolymer of the monomer will exhibit a glass transition temperature (T g ) of greater than about 50°C.
  • T g glass transition temperature
  • methacrylates having short chain alkyl groups e.g. from 1 to about 4 carbon atoms, e.g. branched chain alkyl groups having from 3 or 4 carbon atoms, will generally be useful for hardening the polymer.
  • alkyl methacrylates that will be useful include methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, sec-butyl, isobutyl, and t-butyl.
  • the polymer will be prepared from a blend comprised of from about 35% to about 55% by weight (and preferably from about 40% to about 50%) of one or more hardening monomers.
  • the blend from which the polymer is prepared will also be comprised of an ethylenically unsaturated monomer having at least two sites of ethylenic unsaturation, i.e. a di- or higher multi-ethylenically unsaturated monomer.
  • multi-ethylenic monomers include alkenyl acrylates or methacrylates (e.g.
  • di-alkenyl arenes particularly di- alkenyl benzenes (e.g. divinyl benzene), di-alkenyl ethers (e.g. ethylene glycol di-allyl ether and pentaerythritol di-allyl ether), di-acrylamides (e.g. methylene-bis-acr ⁇ lamide, trimethylene-bis-acrylamide, hexamethylene-bis- acrylamide, N,N'-diacryloylpiperazine, m-phenylene-bis-acrylamide, and p- phenylene-bis-acrylamide), di- or higher multi-acrylates (e.g.
  • the multi-ethylenic monomer that is believed to be responsible for the enhanced wet block resistance of films of the polymer. It should be noted, however that enhanced wet block resistance is only one facet of the important properties of the polymer and that flexibility of the polymer and stability of the polymer emulsion in an aqueous medium is important as well. If the polymer is crosslinked to an excessive degree, it will not be sufficiently susceptible to emulsion and observable polymer coagulum may form in the emulsion during either the polymerization or the intended shelf life of the aqueous emulsion or printing vehicle prepared therefrom. Further, excessive crosslinking may make the polymer too brittle for the intended application.
  • the amount of the multi-ethylenic monomer should be adjusted to obtain the desired degrees of both wet block resistance on the one hand and polymer flexibility and emulsion stability on the other.
  • This amount will generally be a minor amount, e.g. from about 0.01 % to less than about 5% by weight of the polymer, preferably from about 0.05% to about 3%, and more preferably from about 0.5% to about 2.0%.
  • the amount of the multi-ethylenic monomer should be adjusted to obtain levels of wet block resistance, polymer flexibility, and emulsion stability that are optimal for a given ink composition.
  • the precise characteristics desired of the aqueous emulsion and the polymer film prepared therefrom will influence the determination of what is an optimal amount of the multi-ethylenic monomer for a given ink composition.
  • polymer is preferably prepared from only the monomers described above without additional comonomers
  • other monoethylenically unsaturated polymerizable monome ⁇ s may be useful in minor proportion (e.g. less than 10% by weight of the total monomer composition) as comonomers, particularly for uses other than in ink vehicles.
  • These monomers include the vinylidene halides, vinyl halides, acrylonitrile, methacrylonitrile, vinyl esters such as vinyl formate, vinyl acetate and vinyl propionate, and mixtures of ethylene and such vinyl esters, acrylic and methacrylic acid esters of alcohol ethers such as diethylene glycol monoethyl or monobutyl ether methacrylate, C-
  • alkyl acrylate and/or alkyl methacrylate esters examples include methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, sec-butyl, n-amyl, isoamyl, t-amyl, cyclohexyl, n-octyl, n-decyl, and n-undecyl.
  • Additional monoethylenically unsaturated polymerizable comonomers that may be useful in preparing the polymer of the invention include hydroxy functional vinyl monomers such as 2-hydroxy ethyl methacrylate, 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate, 3-hydroxypropyl methacrylate, butanediol acrylate, 3-chloro-2-hydroxypropyl acrylate, 2-hydroxypropyl acrylate, and 2-hydroxypropyl methacrylate.
  • Further examples of useful monomers include the partial esters of unsaturated aliphatic dicarboxylic acids and particularly the alkyl half esters of such acids.
  • partial esters examples include the alkyl half esters of itaconic acid, fumaric acid and maleic acid wherein the alkyl group contains 1 to 6 carbon atoms.
  • Representative members of this group of compounds include methyl acid itaconic, butyl acid itaconic, ethyl acid fumarate, butyl acid fumarate, and methyl acid maleate.
  • alpha, beta-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acids which may also be useful as comonomers to prepare the polymer of the invention include acrylic acid, beta-acryloxypropionic acid and higher oligomers of acrylic acid and mixtures thereof, methacrylic acid, itaconic acid, aconitic acid, crotonic acid, citraconic acid, maleic acid, fumaric acid, alpha-chloroacrylic acid, cinnamic acid, mesaconic acid and mixtures thereof.
  • the polymer is prepared by emulsion polymerization of monomers comprising:
  • a major amount by weight e.g. from about 50% to about 60% by weight, based on the total weight of the polymer
  • a plasticizing alkyl acrylate monomer said alkyl being a straight chain alkyl group having from 3 to 11 carbon atoms or a branched chain alkyl group having from 5 to 1 1 carbon atoms
  • alkyl methacrylates (b) a minor amount by weight (e.g. from about 40% to 50% percent by weight, based on the total weight of the polymer) of alkyl methacrylates, said alkyl groups being selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, • isopropyl, sec-butyl, isobutyl, and t-butyl, and
  • a nominal amount by weight e.g. from about 0.1 % to 1 .0% percent by percent by weight, based on the total weight of the polymer
  • a styrene/acrylic copolymer having carboxylate functionality e.g. from about 0.1 % to 1 .0% percent by percent by weight, based on the total weight of the polymer
  • a styrene/acrylic copolymer having carboxylate functionality e.g. from about 0.1 % to 1 .0% percent by percent by weight, based on the total weight of the polymer
  • a styrene/acrylic copolymer having carboxylate functionality e.g. from about 0.1 % to 1 .0% percent by percent by weight, based on the total weight of the polymer
  • a styrene/acrylic copolymer having carboxylate functionality e.g. from about 0.1 % to 1 .0% percent by percent by weight, based on the total weight of the polymer
  • the emulsion will contain a low-molecular weight, water-soluble, acrylic polymer having carboxylate functionality.
  • These carboxylate polymer resins are of low molecular weight, e.g. from about 4,000 to about 12,000, as compared to the polymer prepared by the emulsion polymerization.
  • the amount of the low-molecular weight, water-soluble, acrylic polymer can vary broadly, depending upon the precise properties desired in the emulsion and the resulting film, as discussed below. Typically, however, the amount of low-molecular weight, water-soluble, acrylic polymer will be a minor amount as compared to the amount of the high molecular weight polymer, and is preferably in a ratio of from about 5: 1 to about 1.5:1 , by weight.
  • the weight ratio of the low-molecular weight, water-soluble, acrylic polymer to the high molecular weight polymer will be from about 4.0:1 to about 2.0:1 and more preferably from about 3.0:1 to about 2.5:1.
  • One of the functions of this polymer is as a suspending aid, and thus, the polymer will have sufficient carboxylate functionality to be stably dispersed in the aqueous polymerization medium.
  • Such resins become and contribute to the polymer film prepared from the emulsion, but do not have acceptable film properties by themselves. Such resins do, however, affect various properties of the emulsion and films prepared therefrom, e.g. the resolubility of the polymer blend in the ink vehicle.
  • compositions contain an acrylic resin having a water-solubility sufficient to impart the desired degree of resolubility to the polymers of the ink or varnish, as discussed below.
  • resolubility is meant that the polymer will redisperse in the ink vehicle while still in a wet state so that there will not be an unacceptable build up of the polymer on a transfer roll used to apply the polymer to a substrate.
  • a suspending aid polymer with a relatively higher acid number.
  • Use of such a polymer may tend to increase the hydrophilicity of a film of the polymer (and, thus, exacerbate any wet block problems), but should improve the resolubility of the polymer in the ink or varnish, and thus, tend to prevent deposition of the polymer on a transfer rolls used to apply the ink or varnish to a printing substrate. Conversely, if resolubility is not as important a factor for a given ink composition or varnish, or for a given printing apparatus, it may be desirable to minimize the acid number of the suspending aid resin and, thus, reduce the hydrophilicity of the film.
  • Preferred carboxylate polymers are vinyl aromatic/acrylic copoiymers having a substantial acid number (typically 150-250, and preferably 180- 220) and a moderate molecular weight (e.g. 6,000 to 10,000). Vinyl aromatic compounds are discussed in "Styrene Polymers" Encyclopedia of
  • the vinyl aromatic compounds comprise monovinyl aromatic hydrocarbons containing from 8 to 12 carbon atoms and halogenated derivatives thereof having halo-substituted aromatic moieties. Examples include styrene, alpha-methylstyrene, vinyl toluene (e.g.
  • meta-methylstyrene and para-methylstyrene meta-methylstyrene, meta-methylstyrene, para-methylstyrene, para-ethylstyrene, para-n-propylstyrene, para- isopropylstyrene, para-tert-butylstyrene, ortho-chlorostyrene, para- chlorostyrene, alpha-methyl-meta-methylstyrene, alpha-methyl-para- methylstyrene, tert-butyl styrene, alpha-methyl-ortho-chlorostyrene, and alpha-methyl-para-chlorostyrene.
  • At least a portion of the acrylic units of the polymer will bear free carboxyl or carboxylate groups (the carboxyl or carboxylate form depending upon the pH of the aqueous emulsion).
  • This carboxylate functionality is solvated by the aqueous polymerization medium and, thus, contributes to the stability of the polymer suspension.
  • the aqueous composition should be essentially free of species which can react with or form a complex with such carboxylate functionality. Such freedom will ensure that the carboxylate functionality remains solvated by the aqueous polymerization medium and/or that the carboxylate polymer will not engage in measurable crosslinking, either in the aqueous polymerization medium or the films prepared therewith.
  • the monomers may be emulsified with an anionic, cationic or nonionic dispersing agent, using for example from about 0.05% to 10% by weight of dispersing agent on the weight of total monomers. Combinations of anionic and nonionic emulsifiers may also be used. High molecular weight polymers such as hydroxy ethyl cellulose, methyl cellulose and polyvinyl alcohol may be used as emulsion stabilizers and protective colloids, as may polyelectrolytes such as polyacrylic acid.
  • Cationic dispersion agents include lauryl-pyridinium chlorides, cetyldimethyl amine acetate, and alkyldimethylbenzylammonium chlorides in which the alkyl group has from 8 to 18 carbon atoms.
  • Anionic dispersing agents include, for example, the higher fatty alcohol sulfates, such as sodium lauryl sulfate, and the like; alkylaryl sufonates such as sodium or potassium isopropylbenzene sulfonates or isopropyl napththalene sulfonates, and the like; alkali metal higher alkyl sulfosuccinates, such as sodium octyl • sulfosuccinate, sodium N-methyl-N-palmitoyltaurate, sodium oleyl isothionate, and the like; and alkali metal salts of alkylarylpolyethoxyethanol sulfates or sulfonates, such as
  • Suitable non-ionic dispersing agents include alkylphenoxy- polyethoxyethanols having alkyl groups of from about 7 to 18 carbon atoms and from about 6 to about 60 oxyethylene units, such as heptylphenoxypolyethoxyethanols, methyloctylphenoxypolyethoxyethanols, and the like; polyethoxyethanol derivatives of methylene-linked alkyl phenols; sulfur-containing agents such as those made by condensing from about 6 to about 60 moles of ethylene oxide with nonyl mercaptan, dodecyl mercaptan, and the like, or with alkylthiophenols wherein the alkyl groups contain from 6 to 16 carbon atoms; ethylene oxide derivatives of long-chained carboxylic acids, such as lauric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, oleic acid, and the like, or mixtures of acids such as those found in tall oil containing from 6 to 60 oxethylene units per molecule;
  • alkyl benzenesulfonates and ethoxylated alkylphenols may be employed.
  • emulsion stabilizers i.e. water soluble polymers such as water- soluble polyalkylene oxides, may be useful.
  • a preferred emulsion stabilizer is a polypropylene glycol having a molecular weight in the range of 1 ,000 to 1 ,500.
  • a polymerization initiator of the free radical type such as ammonium or potassium persulfate
  • a redox system which also includes a reducing component such as potassium metabisulfite, sodium thiosulfate or sodium formaldehyde sulfoxylate.
  • the reducing component is frequently referred to as an accelerator.
  • the initiator and accelerator commonly referred to as catalyst, catalyst system or redox system, may be used in proportion from about 0.01 % or less to 3% each, based on the weight of monomers to be copolymerized.
  • redox catalyst systems examples include t-butyl hydroperoxide/sodium formaldehyde sulfoxylate/Fe(ll), and ammonium persulfate/sodium bisulfite/sodium hydrosulfite/Fe(ll).
  • the polymerization temperature may be from room temperature to 90°C, or more, and may be optimized for the catalyst system employed, as is conventional.
  • Emulsion polymerization may be seeded or unseeded. Seeded polymerization is preferred and tends to yield aqueous dispersions of latex polymer having more uniform physical properties than unseeded polymerization.
  • Chain transfer agents including mercaptans, polymercaptans and polyhalogen compounds are sometimes desirable in the polymerization mixture to moderate polymer molecular weight.
  • chain transfer agents which may be used include long chain alkyl mercaptans such as t-dodecyl mercaptans, alcohols such as isopropanol, isobutanol, lauryl alcohol or t-octyl alcohol, carbon tetrachloride, tetrachloroethylene and trichlorobromoethane. Generally from about 0 to 3% by weight, based on the weight of the monomer mixture, may be used.
  • the polymerization process may be a thermal or redox type; that is, free radicals may be generated solely by the thermal dissociation of an initiator species or a redox system may be used.
  • a monomer emulsion containing all or some portion of the monomers to be polymerized may be prepared using the monomers, water and emulsifiers.
  • a catalyst solution containing catalyst in water may be separately prepared.
  • the monomer emulsion and catalyst solution may be co-fed into the polymerization vessel over the course of the emulsion polymerization.
  • the reaction vessel itself may initially contain water.
  • the reaction vessel may also additionally contain seed emulsion and further may additionally contain an initial charge of polymerization catalyst.
  • the temperature of the reaction vessel during the emulsion polymerization may be controlled by cooling to remove heat generated by the polymerization reaction or by heating the reaction vessel.
  • Several monomer emulsions may be simultaneously co-fed into the reaction vessel. When multiple monomer emulsions are co-fed, they may be of different monomer composition. The sequence and rates at which the diverse monomer emulsions are co-fed may be altered during the emulsion polymerization process.
  • the polymerization reaction mixture may be chased (e.g. with t-butyl hydroperoxide and or sodium ascorbate) to minimize the concentrations of unreacted monomer and unreacted polymerization catalyst species.
  • the pH of the contents of the reaction vessel may also be altered during the course of the emulsion polymerization process. Both thermal and redox polymerization processes may be employed .
  • the preferred use of the preferred polymers of this invention is in a printing ink vehicle, e.g. as a binder resin or a varnish
  • the polymer can be used in a wide variety of end-use applications. For example, it can be used in leather finishes and coatings, clear and pigmented coatings for wood and other architectural substrates, caulks, and sealants and as a binder for an exterior coating composition, such as those used to protect spra ⁇ ed-in-place polyurethane foam roofing (roof mastics).
  • the polymer can be used in coating in general.
  • the aqueous dispersions of the present invention can, thus, be applied to a variety of substrates to form a coating thereon.
  • substrates include, for example, porous stock such as paper and cardboard, wood and wood products, metals such as aluminum, copper, steel, and plastics e.g. films such as polyolefins (low density polyethylene, linear low density polyethylene, polypropylene), polyesters, (e.g. polyethylene terephthalate), polyamides, polycarbonates, acrylics and the like.
  • the compositions are applied by methods such as spraying, rollcoating, flexo and gravure processes onto a selected substrate.
  • the resulting coated substrate is typically allowed to dry before further processing.
  • the coating compositions may optionally include other substances such as pigments, resins, monomers and additives such as anti-oxidants and rheological modifiers.
  • Methods of coating and materials used in coatings are described in Encyclopedia of Polymer Science and Engineering, vol. 3, pp. 552 - 671 and supp. vol., pp. 53, 109 and 1 10 (John Wiley & Sons, Inc., N.Y., N.Y., 1985), the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference.
  • the ink and varnish compositions of this invention can be for any of the typical ink or varnish applications such as flexographic, gravure, letterpress, ink-jet, or screen-process printing applications.
  • the ink compositions of the present invention have excellent adhesion to a wide variety of substrates including plastic films such as polyester, polyethylene or polypropylene, aluminum foil, glass, and paper.
  • the ink and varnish compositions of the present invention should have a pH greater than 8, e.g. typically 8.2 to 9.0.
  • the aqueous emulsions of this invention are particularly useful in preparing inks or varnishes that are, in turn, particularly useful in the printing of non-woven cellulosic substrates.
  • substrates are sheets or other continuous webs of cellulosic fibers formed by deposition of the fibers from a suspension in such a way that the fibers are intermeshed to form a thin but compact whole.
  • the preferred substrates can be characterized as paper. Examples of paper stocks include letter stock, bag stock, carton stock, newsprint, and so on.
  • the inks and vanishes of this invention are particularly useful in printing packaging papers, such as bag stock and carton stock.
  • the printing processes most advantageously used with the inks or varnishes are the flexographic and/or gravure printing processes.
  • One characteristic of such printing processes is that the aqueous dispersion of ink or varnish is supplied to said surface by a h ⁇ drophilic cylindrical transfer roll.
  • Printing processes are described by T. Sulzberg et al., "Printing Ink Vehicles", Encyclopedia of Polymer Science and Engineering, vol. 13, pp. 368-398 (John Wiley & Sons, Inc., N.Y, N.Y., 1988), the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
  • this invention relates to a method of printing comprising applying a first portion of an aqueous dispersion comprised of the polymer of this invention to a first essentially impervious printing surface, said surface having recesses therein which define a resolvable image, contacting said surface with a printable substrate, and repeating said applying and said contacting with a second portion of said aqueous dispersion and a second printable surface.
  • This method may be a letterpress printing method (wherein said recesses define raised portions of the surface which carry the aqueous dispersion to the substrate, e.g. flexography) or a gravure printing method (wherein said recesses carry the aqueous dispersion to the substrate).
  • an aqueous dispersion comprised of the polymer of this invention is applied to a flexible plate mounted on a plate cylinder.
  • the flexible plate is then contacted with a printable substrate by rotation of the plate cylinder.
  • the aqueous dispersion is applied to the flexible plate with a hydrophilic cylindrical transfer roll which is rotated to successively take up and then apply successive portions of the aqueous dispersion.
  • the inks, overprints, and primers of this invention can be prepared, for example, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4, 148,779, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
  • the printing ink, overprint, or primer may be prepared as follows.
  • the colorant is added to the polymer blend dispersion and, at a properly adjusted viscosity, dispersed thereinto with ball mill, sand mill, high-shear fluid flow mill, Cowles Dissolver, Katy
  • the colorants also may be dispersed directly in the polymer by milling on a heated two-roll mill at about 220°F to 360°F. (104.44°C to 182.22°C.) and using processing aids as desired, such as solvents or plasticizers.
  • processing aids such as solvents or plasticizers.
  • the viscosity and printing characteristics of the ink composition may be modified further by addition of water, solvents, plasticizers, sequestered wax, surfactants and the like to suit the particular printing needs.
  • the ink compositions of the present invention are not limited to any type of dye, pigment, filler, or the like, all of which are hereinafter included in the term "colorant,” and can accommodate any colorant which can be dispersed, milled, mixed, blended or dissolved in any manner in either the polymer blend, water or aqueous polymer system.
  • ink or varnish compositions prepared from the above polymer blends may be superior over prior aqueous ink or varnish compositions in one or more of such properties as pigment wetting, pigment stability, temperature stability (heat and freeze-thaw), nonsettling for extended periods of time, nonpolluting with respect to odor and volatile organics, nonflocculating, long "open" time in the press fountain, wide viscosity range inks, adhesion to a variety of substrates, hardness, gloss, drying rate on substrates, film-forming properties at low temperatures without organic co-solvents, resistance to grease, water and scuff, compatibility with other water-based inks, wet rub resistance, ink mileage characteristics (considerable water dilution allowable at the press), ink press stability in general, printability (clean, sharp transfer without “stringing or misting"), trapping, easy clean up, nonplugging of printing plates, flexibility, redispersibilit ⁇ or rewetting, crinkle resistance, solvent resistance,
  • Acrylic Polymer (styrenated acrylic resin, acid 37.80 value: 180-220, M.W.: 6,000-10,000, 30% solids in water) Deionized Water 20.62
  • the polymers were then prepared by the following steps. Blanket the reactor with nitrogen and add charge 1. Heat Charge 1 in the reactor to 88°C. Pump 10% of Charge 3 from monomer tank into the reactor. Add Charge 2 to the reactor and continue mixing for 30 minutes at 88°C. Meter the remaining Charge 3 from the monomer tank into the reactor over a 70 minute period at 88°C and hold for 1 hour at 88°C. Add Charge 4 to the reactor after 80% of the monomer has reached the reactor. Add Charge 5a to the reactor and mix for 5 minutes. To the reactor add one- third of 5b, mix for 5 minutes, add another one-third of 5b, mix for another 5 minutes, add the last one-third of 5b and mix for an additional five minutes. Cool to 49°C. Pump Charge 6 into reactor and mix for 15 minutes.
  • the varnishes were diluted with water to a composition having a viscosity of 20 to 22 seconds on a #2 Zahn cup and the diluted composition was printed with a Line Screen 180 hand proofer. The coatings were then tested immediately (for "green slide angle") or allowed to dry overnight (for all other tests).
  • Wet block resistance is tested by putting two overnight dried coated pieces of stock (paper) together coating-to-coating in an oven with a specific weight placed on top of the papers. The weight is usually 1 lb per square inch, and the samples were in the 60°C oven for at least 18 hours.
  • water is introduced in one of several ways. The first way is with one drop of water between the coated surfaces and the second way is where the entire set up is placed in 70% R.H. humidity chamber. After an amount of time, the samples are removed from the oven/weights and pulled apart immediately. When pulling apart, there should be no paper tear and very little "cling". Each sample was then rated on a scale from 1 -10 for tearing apart and cling.
  • the coatings were evaluated for gloss by conventional means, i.e. simply measuring within a Macbeth Novo-Gloss Meter the percent of visible light reflected from the surface at the same angle (i.e. 60%) as the incident angle of the light. The values expressed below are the percent of light reflected for an average of seven measurements.
  • Slide angle is a measure of the coefficient of friction on the surface of the coating.
  • the values for the slide angles are reported in both 'Green' and 'Aged' angles. This is because different end-use application sites may test the coefficient of friction at the press during a run (Green slide angle-no over night drying) or at a much later date after the run. (Aged slide angle- dried over night). Slide Angle is reported in degrees (0). Coefficient of Friction is the tangent of the slide angle (Tan ⁇ ).
  • Polymers were prepared by the procedure set forth above using a monomer blend of 2-ethylhexyl acrylate (EHA), methyl methacrylate (MMA), and one of following three multi-ethylenic monomers: divinyl benzene (ME1 ), an aliphatic urethane acrylate (ME2), available as Photomer ® 6210, or bisphenol A ethoxylate diacrylate (ME3) available as Photomer ® 4028, UV curing agent from Henkel Corporation, Ambler, PA in the amounts (in parts by weight) shown in Table 1.
  • EHA 2-ethylhexyl acrylate
  • MMA methyl methacrylate
  • ME1 divinyl benzene
  • ME2 an aliphatic urethane acrylate
  • ME3 bisphenol A ethoxylate diacrylate
  • UV curing agent from Henkel Corporation
  • PA PA

Landscapes

  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Materials Engineering (AREA)
  • Wood Science & Technology (AREA)
  • Organic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Plasma & Fusion (AREA)
  • Paints Or Removers (AREA)
PCT/US1994/009772 1993-09-24 1994-09-13 Aqueous compositions useful as printing vehicles WO1995008404A1 (en)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP94927279A EP0722369A4 (en) 1993-09-24 1994-09-13 AQUEOUS DISPERSIONS USEFUL AS PRINTING VEHICLES
AU76773/94A AU7677394A (en) 1993-09-24 1994-09-13 Aqueous compositions useful as printing vehicles

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US12628193A 1993-09-24 1993-09-24
US08/126,281 1993-09-24
US08/206,556 1994-03-02
US08/206,556 US5616364A (en) 1993-09-24 1994-03-02 Aqueous compositions useful as printing vehicles

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1995008404A1 true WO1995008404A1 (en) 1995-03-30

Family

ID=26824475

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US1994/009772 WO1995008404A1 (en) 1993-09-24 1994-09-13 Aqueous compositions useful as printing vehicles

Country Status (7)

Country Link
US (1) US5616364A (GUID-C5D7CC26-194C-43D0-91A1-9AE8C70A9BFF.html)
EP (1) EP0722369A4 (GUID-C5D7CC26-194C-43D0-91A1-9AE8C70A9BFF.html)
AU (1) AU7677394A (GUID-C5D7CC26-194C-43D0-91A1-9AE8C70A9BFF.html)
CA (1) CA2171631A1 (GUID-C5D7CC26-194C-43D0-91A1-9AE8C70A9BFF.html)
PH (1) PH31438A (GUID-C5D7CC26-194C-43D0-91A1-9AE8C70A9BFF.html)
TW (1) TW254962B (GUID-C5D7CC26-194C-43D0-91A1-9AE8C70A9BFF.html)
WO (1) WO1995008404A1 (GUID-C5D7CC26-194C-43D0-91A1-9AE8C70A9BFF.html)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0854153A1 (en) * 1997-01-18 1998-07-22 Rohm And Haas Company Coating compositions

Families Citing this family (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6140392A (en) 1998-11-30 2000-10-31 Flint Ink Corporation Printing inks
US6806301B2 (en) * 1998-11-30 2004-10-19 Flint Ink Corporation Lithographic printing inks
US6638995B1 (en) 1998-11-30 2003-10-28 Flint Ink Corporation Printing inks
US6498202B1 (en) 1999-12-14 2002-12-24 Lexmark International, Inc Ink jet ink compositions including latex binder and methods of ink jet printing
US6840175B2 (en) 2002-11-20 2005-01-11 Flint Ink Corporation Lithographic printing method using a single fluid ink
ES2213477B2 (es) * 2003-01-28 2006-01-01 Chimigraf Iberica, S.L. Procedimiento para la fabricacion de un barniz flexografico y producto obtenido.
JP4899289B2 (ja) * 2003-04-07 2012-03-21 セイコーエプソン株式会社 水性インク組成物およびその製造方法
US20050143487A1 (en) * 2003-12-31 2005-06-30 Anjing Lou Aqueous flexographic printing inks
EP1944160A1 (en) * 2007-01-12 2008-07-16 Renolit AG Multilayer film, especially for the production of office articles, use of the film and process for manufacturing the film
BR112013027965A2 (pt) 2011-05-16 2017-01-17 Unilever Nv "composição de revestimento, substrato e método para revestir um substrato"
KR101819306B1 (ko) * 2015-12-23 2018-01-17 주식회사 포스코 밀착성이 우수한 철강 소재용 잉크조성물, 이를 이용한 프린트 강판 제조 방법 및 이에 따라 제조된 프린트 강판

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4814373A (en) * 1984-12-20 1989-03-21 Rohm And Haas Company Modified latex polymer composition
US4921899A (en) * 1988-10-11 1990-05-01 Eastman Kodak Company Ink composition containing a blend of a polyester, an acrylic polymer and a vinyl polymer
US5075364A (en) * 1988-10-11 1991-12-24 Eastman Kodak Company Ink composition containing a blend of a polyester, an acrylic polymer and a vinyl polymer

Family Cites Families (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2311820A1 (fr) * 1975-05-22 1976-12-17 Eastman Kodak Co Compositions de colorants et de matieres thermoplastiques pouvant etre dispersees dans l'eau et leur application a l'impression par report thermique
US4150005A (en) * 1977-03-17 1979-04-17 Rohm And Haas Company Internally plasticized polymer latex
US4151147A (en) * 1978-02-02 1979-04-24 Celanese Corporation Process for preparing all-acrylic copolymer latex
US4230613A (en) * 1979-03-07 1980-10-28 Pratt & Lambert, Inc. Peroxy-free methacrylate lacquer and adhesive method employing same
DE3843965A1 (de) * 1988-12-24 1990-07-12 Roehm Gmbh Mehrphasige, waessrige kunststoffdispersion und ihre verwendung in ueberzugsmittel
US5196470A (en) * 1991-03-01 1993-03-23 H. B. Fuller Licensing & Financing Inc. Water soluble alcohol based nonwoven binder for water swellable, soluble or sensitive fibers
CA2065100A1 (en) * 1991-04-05 1992-10-06 Masami Uemae Aqueous dispersion of acrylic polymer

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4814373A (en) * 1984-12-20 1989-03-21 Rohm And Haas Company Modified latex polymer composition
US4921899A (en) * 1988-10-11 1990-05-01 Eastman Kodak Company Ink composition containing a blend of a polyester, an acrylic polymer and a vinyl polymer
US5075364A (en) * 1988-10-11 1991-12-24 Eastman Kodak Company Ink composition containing a blend of a polyester, an acrylic polymer and a vinyl polymer

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See also references of EP0722369A4 *

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0854153A1 (en) * 1997-01-18 1998-07-22 Rohm And Haas Company Coating compositions

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU7677394A (en) 1995-04-10
TW254962B (GUID-C5D7CC26-194C-43D0-91A1-9AE8C70A9BFF.html) 1995-08-21
EP0722369A4 (en) 1997-10-01
EP0722369A1 (en) 1996-07-24
US5616364A (en) 1997-04-01
CA2171631A1 (en) 1995-03-30
PH31438A (en) 1998-11-03

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
CN102421811B (zh) 氯乙烯基树脂乳液、水性油墨及记录用纸
US6162850A (en) Heat resistant emulsion resins
US5616364A (en) Aqueous compositions useful as printing vehicles
US5523335A (en) Printing inks and related laminates and processes
US5786436A (en) Methods of preparing inorganic pigment dispersions
TW201835257A (zh) 水性無光澤塗料組成物
EP0732344B1 (en) Polymers useful as printing vehicles
US5714526A (en) Method of preparing resin/pigment compositions for printing inks
US5849833A (en) Method for improving drying speed in printing process and fast dry printing ink used therein
US5623041A (en) Polymers useful as printing vehicles
JP7177963B1 (ja) 収縮ラベル用水性インキ組成物
US5877253A (en) Method of preparing inorganic pigment dispersions
WO1995001228A1 (en) Copolymers useful as printing vehicles
US12365804B2 (en) Vinyl chloride-based resin emulsion, water-based ink, and recording paper
WO2001014439A1 (en) Resin-fortified sugar-based vinyl emulsion copolymers and methods of preparing the same
CA2016307A1 (en) Water-based printing compositions
WO1997019993A9 (en) Acrylic emulsions useful in printing inks
WO1997019993A1 (en) Acrylic emulsions useful in printing inks
WO1997019992A1 (en) Acrylic emulsions useful in printing inks
JPH08208772A (ja) ワックス含有水性分散体およびそれを含有して成る水性樹脂組成物
CN115777006A (zh) 可耐受酒精的丙烯酸酯聚合物及其应用
WO1997001587A1 (en) Method of preparing inorganic pigment dispersions
WO1998011162A1 (en) Methods of preparing inorganic pigment dispersions

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AK Designated states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AU BR CA CN GB JP KR

AL Designated countries for regional patents

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AT BE CH DE DK ES FR GB GR IE IT LU MC NL PT SE

DFPE Request for preliminary examination filed prior to expiration of 19th month from priority date (pct application filed before 20040101)
121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application
WWE Wipo information: entry into national phase

Ref document number: 2171631

Country of ref document: CA

WWE Wipo information: entry into national phase

Ref document number: 1994927279

Country of ref document: EP

WWP Wipo information: published in national office

Ref document number: 1994927279

Country of ref document: EP

WWW Wipo information: withdrawn in national office

Ref document number: 1994927279

Country of ref document: EP